Article of footwear



May 19, 1953 E. P. BULLARDJIL ARTICLE oF FOOTWEAR 2 Sheets-Sheet l FiledMay 29I 195o www \lllllll .l\ \ll Illllllllll I Il Rm D A TL mm WB /P ,W.M E WG vw A T TR Nfl-Y May 19, 1953 E. P. BULLARDJJI 2,638,690

ARTICLE oF FOOTWEAR Filed May 29, 1950 2 sheets-sheet 2 EDWARD F. BULLARD 71',

Patented May 19, 1953 l UN l TED STATES LPATENT .oaFfFi-fc ARTICLE OFFQO'EWEAR f:Enfin/artiPirullard III, Fairfield, Conn.

ApplicationMay- 29, 1950; Serial No. l165;'087

'-7 Claims.

vThis [invention-relates to the art of skiing,.an.d

particularly: to. annew and :improved-device for :mfaintaining'theskierssxtoot. in properwposition --rela-tively. `to theslii.vThisapplicationis a con tnuationain-part of Aapplication Seniat No:1.49,-

991 ledf- March 16,: 19,50, in the `.naine of'.E iWard LP. Bullard 111.

Probably tire most essential requirement, inso- :fiar fas'ski equipmentis concerned, is tnat. con .'.cern'ng the relation-.of the; aki totheekihoot, `and. the reiationxofgthe-.ski bootto-tlie footpoi' theskier.

J .Ski bootsfare constructed in `a mennen to-pi'ovidefapermanentlrelation ywith the Vsin `at all `times; i.v e.,tlriefentii'e` bottom` of. the; booti in- `ciudin-gxitl'iesole .andiheel 4isg. a -rigid,.-non-f1enible inembernthatg-is rigidly. fined; to;the sliipy` `the usual harness means. he soie is usnally muchthicker*thanY that of` ordinary shoes or 'posta-,and steelpfplates.areyii-siiallyeenibedcled .Within the sole. andlheel in order toinsureya` continuous inon- 4flexing,element. thatcan herigidly;maintained.` as anintegral, non-flexing partvofi the ski.

^ -The :nature vof the boot i construction, :including thesteel-reeniorcec `boxflike i toe i construction antithe` .heavy `leatheruppers,- afoids little likeilihoodof maintaining `.thefoct of the 'skienin the sa-me` vrelation to; theyski boot aathelatter isrelated. toV theekL although it is Ajust as 4essential to kmaintain the sole and heel.ofA the skiers; -feet in intimate Vrelation irlgitlfi;` the sole andineel -oi ,the sli-i boots as it is to Lmaintain thenboots iinwrigiclArelation to the skis.

l Heitetotorefgit -hascbeen common practice to lace the skibcotastightly` to the `:footas possible norden toLefect-as `nearly as possiblethis; intiimate; :rela-tkm` oi footto skiboot. Suohwpractice Anauseasconcentrated, Apresnures to g, be; applied1-pto '-.variousparts of theskiers foot, panticula'rlysover .the .instep t impeding the circulationof pblood, causing '.,excessive ;pain and inquiring` frequent loosening;ofi` .theelaees Whieh, vof coursa. :are required.` `to `.be tightened.before skiing can che .resumed.

' .Thetpnincipalpobject ofthis inventionisto pro videl .a device4 that.will maintain Athe entire.: sole tand-.heel .of theskierfs footatalitiineseinintimate Contact with`V the nom-nexible soleuiand'iheel,of the ski. boot. Other objects include the: pro vision of aninflatable-device that will apply any clesiredforce over' a relativelylarge areaofy the skiers foot above the sole in a manner towmaintain the-desired f Yintimate Contact between the sole and.y heel, of ftheskiersfootand that -ofthe skrbooty the rprovision of such a device thatcan .i2 :be readily inflated.and deflated-,at .the .will/ .othe theYprovision oisucha. device formingnan iintegralpart of y. ai sock adapted.l to be ,Wolf-n :with .conyentionalskihoot; .the ,ptovisionoi -suchzadenise that is;.indenendent of the soci/l; andki bootmand the..provision oda; nani/1,A and improved ski boot embodying as a apart:thereof lsuch.v an Yinilataleleicevice.

` The lanci/atras well..- asj. other ,1 oloietsA :and: ,novel featuresof: .the -improvedarticle of footwear `will .become .-1 anparent from s4the -following especification and-accompanyingdrawings in which:

figure .1 4is: a side1 f elevational view, @partlyI in section,showii'ier theielation .of `a conventional ,siiifboot with; ail-sock..to .which` the principles of the invention have .been applied;

Figlia -is a sideelevationalyiew of. the-hoot of Eig.A l,`-but Viewedifrom the opposite side;

,Fig. 2is a .sectionaleeleyational viewtaken substantially alone lineZ-eZOEig l; l i

j; Fig. `3 is a sectionalelenational `View taken substantielle aloneline -Sfof Fig,` ,1;

Fig. `4, discloses y aV modification :comprising an articleof yfootwear.worn independently .of the sock and enilemlying.` the. principlesv of.`the inven- .tien;

Fig 5 discloses another lviewnf the article shown .in Fiese;

flig.` 6 isiV a `.sectionalelevational` View through theiniiatingmechanism of Figs. 45, 7 and 8;`

Fig '7 is a `plan'View .of a newv and improved ski boot embodying the.principles..of theinVention and constituting` another-.modification .otthe inVentiomand ,'Fig. =8. is a .sectional View taken .aubstantially.along line 8-8 .of Fig. '7.

. Referring tothe drawings..` and` ,particularly to 1i9s. V 1 to v35inclusivethe invention :is slioyvnas appledtto a ysockj HlpoA,theusualknitted type commonly employed in skiing. In Figi..1,.t11e50cki 0., is f shown on aioot, i l r.with a conventional ski boot 12.."Iihe,sl :i"bootf` 2 includes. a; rigid, non,- .flexible sale iandiheelportion $3 thatiswma'ntained' a rigid, `iionrexilole fform usually, bythe inclusionci metallic plates between, the.. yan- 4ous` layers' .ofileatliei'- forming. vthe'sole and heel ,I 3. The` forwardrportion; ofthenboot` I 2 .includes a box-like .tce .section .ifi that yis',constnuctedtof relatively; heavyeaage l sheet .metallA covered @withleather. vTine remaining upper portioni I5iof the booti l2#l ia`constiructed lof heavy ;.leather.sog.that it Will withstand the severestressesnand strains to-Which the `boot lis` subjected 'during skiing,[and a Weitere-tight joint is provided 4between a vents i6 and a1 tongueil' to prevent the .penetrations Vof inatable article of footwear isshown. embodiment, an inflatable bladder 29 in somewhat spat-like form,is similar to that of bladder I9 3 moisture into the interior of theboot. Fasteners I8 of usual construction lare provided along each edgeof the vent I6 to receive the usual lacing thongs.

In an effort to maintain the bottom of the skiers foot in intimatecontact with the rigid sole and heel I3 of the ski boot, and because ofthe thick leather required for the proper maintenance of the boot upperI5, the laces, heretofore, were required to be applied as tightly aspossible. Such action produced highly concentrated pressures at variouspoints on the instep of the wearers foot, resulting in excessive painand requiring frequent loosening between skiing runs, obviouslynecessitating re-tightening before beginning a new run.

Referring to Fig. 3, a bladder-like member I9 includes an inner wall 2Uattached to the sock II by any conventional means such as gluing,

stitching, etc., and an outer wall 2l that is vulcanized or heat-sealedto the innei` wall along its yperipheral edge 22. The bladder I9 may bemade of any material capable of maintaining a fluid as air underpressure, such as rubber, heat-sealing plastic and the like. Inasmuch asit is essential to maintain substantially the whole sole and heel of thefoot of the wearer in intimate contact with the sole and heel I3 of theski boot, the bladder I9 must cover a substantial portion of the footabove the sole and heel. In the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 4, the bladderI3 is shown extending from a point just rearwardly of the toes, up overthe instep and for a substantial distance on either side of the middleof the instep so that the force required to maintain the sole and heelof the boot and wearer in proper relation is equally distributed over aslarge an area as is possible. As shown in Fig. 1, the bladder I9 extendsrearwardly of the foot II to a point adjacent the heel 23, and upwardlyabove the outer ankle 24. The construction of the bladder in Fig. 1 issuch as to leave the outer ankle 24 uncovered while providing aninflatable portion completely surrounding it. The bladder I9 extendsover the inner portioi of the instep also and includes an inflatableportion 25 that passes upwardly of the inner ankle and down behind thelatter in order to provide the greatest possible area of the foot towhich the equalized pressure can be applied, thus reducing to a minimumthe unit pressure required.

A valve device 29 is integrally attached to the bladder I9 near itsupper extremity so as to extend above the top of the boot I2. It mayinclude a housing 21 within which a spring pressed plunger 28 islocated, and to which a small hand pump may be removably attached. Thevalve 23 may be of any convenient design such as the conventionalpneumatic tire valve for vehicles, or it may take the form shown in Fig.6 to be described later.

In practice, with the bladder I9 deflated, the sock I I is applied tothe foot in the usual manner and the boot I2 drawn on and laced onlysnugly, whereupon the bladder I9 is inflated until the desired pressureis attained to maintain the foot and heel of the wearer in intimatecontact with the sole and heel I3 of the boot I2. When it is desired torelieve the pressure on the foot, or to remove the ski boot, it is onlynecessary to operate the plunger 28 of the valve device 26.

Referring to Figs 4 and 5, a modication of the In this except that itincludes portions covering both inner and outer ankles, and is providedwith a pair of straps 30, 3| to maintain the bladder 29 in properrelation to the foot of the wearer and also in proper relation to theski boot. A permanently attached valve and inflating device 32 isattached to the upper section of the bladder 29. Referring to Fig. 6,the infiating device 32 includes a body 33 turned from any desirablematerial, but preferably from a plastic such as nylon or Vinylite, sothat it is unaffected by the moisture to which it will be subjectedwhile skiing.

The body 33 is provided with an opening 34 into which is screwed a plugvalve 35. A groove 36 is provided part way along the top of the threadedportion of plug valve 35 in such fashion that when the plug 39 isscrewed tightly into place, no air escapes through groove 3B. However,upon backing the plug 35 outwardly two or more turns, groove 36 isexposed to the atmosphere, thereby venting the body 33. The body 33 isalso provided with a float valve 31 that is prevented from falling outof place by a pin 38. A compressible rubber bulb 39 is attached to thetop of the body 33 and it includes a float valve 40 similar in action tothat of float valve 31. The lower end of body 33 is hermetically sealedto the bladder 29 such that free access is provided from the body 33 tothe inside of the bladder 29.

Referring to Figs. '7 and 8, the principles of the invention are shownas applied as an integral part of a new and improved ski boot. In thisembodiment of the invention, the ski boot includes a rigid, non-flexiblesole and heel member 4I, which may be made up of layers of thick leatherbetween which a rigid metallic plate may be located to insure thedesirednon-flexing characteristic: The upper portion 42 of the new ski boot maybe of conventional heavy leather commonly employed in the manufacture ofski boots. Located on each side of the vent 43, and within the interiorof the boot, is an inilatable bladder means 44 joined by an inflatablesection 45 located just ahead of the instep of the boot. Each of thebladder means 44 extends rearwardly above the ankle, but not entirelysurrounding the heel.

Referring to Fig. 8, the bladder members 44 each include outer portions46 that are cemented or otherwise integrally united to the inner side ofthe leather forming the upper portion 42 of the ski boo-t; and, innerportions 41 are provided that are hermetically sealed to the outerperipheral edges of the outer portions 46. A space along the vent 43 isnot covered by a portion of the inflatable bladder, but this isnecessary in order to facilitate applying the boot to the wearers foot.Since it is only necessary to fasten the boot snugly to the foot, thecommon lacing means is dispensed with in the embodiment of Figs. '1 and8, and fastening means commonly known in the market as a zipper 48 issubstituted therefor. Of course, any form of fastening means may beemployed and the conventional laces are contemplated within the scope ofthe modification of Figs. 7 and 8. Additionally, the inner surface ofthe ski boot upper 42 may be provided with pockets made from arelatively thin, soft leather of the general outline of .the inflatablemembers 44, within which iniiatable members 44 may removably bepositioned. Near the rear of one of the members 44, a connection ispermanently made to an inflatable device 49 of the same construction asshown in Fig. 6. y

From the foregoing description of Figs. 7 and 8, it is only necessaryfor the wearer to openthe zipper 4B, apply the ski boot tothe foot,close the Zipper it and operate the inflating means di), whereupon anydesired pressure may be provided over a substantially large area oi thewearers foot necessary to maintain the entire sole and heel of thewearers foot in intimate contact with the entire sole and heel of therigid, non-exing sole and heel ell of the sld boot. When it is desiredto remove the pressure on the foot, it is only necessary to unscrew theplug valve 35 a turn or two, thereby venting the bladder members M.

Although the various features of the improved article of footwear foruse with shi boots and the like have been shown and described in detailto fully disclose several embodiments of the invention, it will beevident that numerous changes may be made in such details, and certainfeatures may be used without others, without departing from theprinciples of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An article of footwear for use with a ski boot and the like having arigid, non-exible sole and heel portion, comprising a unitary structureincluding an iniiatable bladder of spat-like form adapted to cover thetop of the wearers foot trom a point in advance oi' the instep,rearwardly over substantial areas of both inside and outside of theinstep and to a point adjacent the heel; strap means adapted to holdsaid bladder' on the foot of a wearer; and valve means for facilitatingthe iniiation of said bladder, whereby substantially the entire root andheel of the wearer is maintained in intimate contact with the rigid,nonflexible sole and heel of the ski boot.

2. An article of footwear for use with a slri boot and the like having arigid, non-flexible sole and heel portion, comprising a unitary bladderof spat-like forni, adapted when worn to cover a substantial area oneach side of the center of the instep, and to extend rearwardly to apoint adj acent the heel; strap means for holding said bladder on thefoot of the wearer; and valve means for facilitating the inflation ofsaid bladder, whereby substantially the entire foot and heel of thewearer is maintained in intimate contact with the rigid, non-flexiblesole and heel of the ski boot, said valve means including vent means forfacili tating deiiation of said bladder.

3. A ski boot accessory comprising a unitary structure including aninflatable bladder of gen-- erally spat-lile form adapted to be wornwith a ski boot of the like, and providing an inatable pocket extendingfrom one side of the foot continuously across the instep lto the otherside thereof; strap means for holding said bladder on the foot of thewearer; and means permanently associated with said bladder lor inatingand deilating the same.

4. A ski boot accessory comprising a unitary structure including aninflatable bladder of generally spat-like form adapted to be worn with aski boot of the like, and providing an inilatable poc-liet extendingfrom one side or the foot con tinuously across the instep to the otherside thereof; strapI means 'for holding the bladder on the ioot of thewearer; and independently ope erated inilating and venting meanspermanently associated with said bladder.

A ski boot accessory comprising a unitary structure including aninflatable bladder of generally spat-dike form adapted to be worn with aski boot or the like, and providing an inflatable pocket extending fromone side of the foot continuously across the instep to the other `sidethereof; strap means for holding said bladder on the root of the wearer;a valve body permanently fixed to said bladder; a manually operablevalve and floating valve in said valve body and an inflating bulb xed to.said valve body.

6. An article of footwear for use with a ski boot or the like comprisingin combination, a unitary structure including an inflatable bladderadapted when worn to cover substantially the entire area of the foot asviewed in plan from the iront of 'the instep to behind the ankle; solestraps adapted to hold said bladder in position relatively to the foot;and three-way Valve means iixed to said 'bladder' at its rearward eX-treniity for facilitating its ination and deflation.

7. As an article of footwear for use with a ski boot or the like havinga rigid, non-flexible sole and heel portion and an upper portion ofrelatively heavy leather, a unitary structure including an inrlatnblebladder-like member adapted when worn to cover a substantial portion ofthe instep of the wearer; resilient strap means adapted to maintain thebladder in fixed position relatively to the foot of the wearer; and amulti-way valve means integral with said bladder at its rearwardextremity on the outside of the wearers foot for facilitating iniiationand deflation or said bladder member.

EDWARD P. BULLARD XXI.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 518,579 Annenberg apr. 24, 1894 746,338 Keen Dec. 8, 19031,629,108 Lake May 1"?, 1927 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 135,354Germany Dec. 11, 1902 297,430 Germany Apr. 19, 1917 440,113 Germany Jan.28, 1927 632,702 Germany July 13, 1936 OTHER REFERENCES AmericanShoemaking, September 8, 1948, page 37,

